Appalachian State University
AC-2: Learning Outcomes

All Appalachian State students both graduate level and undergraduate level are subject to Appalachian State University’s QEP, the focus thereof is global learning. “Students will engage in diverse experiences at home and abroad to increase their knowledge of global issues, regions, and cultures; improve their intercultural skills, and develop attitudes that cultivate global citizenship.” Undergraduate: A degree from Appalachian State University begins with the General Education Program. General education at Appalachian is anchored in the ideals and practices of liberal education and aims to prepare students to fulfill the responsibilities and meet the challenges presented by a changing world. The four general education goals of the university are (1) thinking critically and creatively, (2) communicating effectively, (3) making local to global connections, and (4) understanding responsibilities of community membership. Of these, Making Local to Global Connections has the following rationale: "Appalachian State University is both in and of the southern Appalachian region, and it is also part of a world that is globally connected. Life in the twenty-first century requires an understanding of the connections and multi-layered interactions among diverse local and global human cultures, as well as between humans and the natural and physical environments. In this context, the general education program helps to cultivate an active understanding of global change and the effect of human agency on both natural and cultural environments. Students should understand the importance of biodiversity, ecological integrity, and the need to achieve sustainable benefits for communities. Knowledge of other cultures, diverse cultural frames of reference, and alternative perspectives are essential to thinking critically and creatively and to understanding the responsibilities of membership in local, regional, and global communities. The cultivation and maintenance of intercultural relationships require active cultural understanding, which is achieved by exploring multiple strategies for interacting with other peoples and cultures." The learning outcomes of the Local to Global Perspective are as follows: 3 A. Analyze past and present relationships between humans and the natural and physical environment 3 B. Evaluate community, natural, and global change through the lens of sustainability 3 C. Demonstrate the ability to think critically and creatively about the relationship between local regions and global issues, processes, trends, and systems 3 D. Demonstrate knowledge of contemporary issues related to cultural diversity in the United States and other areas of the world 3 E. Employ appropriate and increasingly sophisticated means for communicating with people of other cultures Furthermore, Local to Global Perspectives themes will enable students to: 1. Demonstrate the ability to think critically and creatively about the relationship between local regions and global issues, processes, trends, and systems 2. Employ appropriate and increasingly sophisticated means for communicating with people of other cultures AND to do at least one of the following: 3. Demonstrate knowledge of contemporary issues related to cultural diversity in the United States and other areas of the world 4. Analyze past and present relationships between humans and the natural and physical environment 5. Evaluate community, natural, and global change through the lens of sustainability Graduate Level: all 56 Graduate students from the College of Fine and Applied Arts are included because the stated mission of the college is as follows: "The Mission The College of Fine and Applied Arts strongly supports the university’s mission statement that emphasizes the combined intent to develop in our students a genuine engagement with global citizenry and a strong sense of responsibility for creating a sustainable future. The college further endorses and supports the university’s mission to strengthen and integrate our students’ abilities to think critically and creatively, to communicate effectively and with passion, to make local to global connections and to foster genuine community engagement. Our college acknowledges as its primary mission the building of strong academic programs and active co-curricular activities. Concurrently, our college promotes an active and innovative interdisciplinary structure that fosters significant scholarship and creativity, transformative teaching and learning and just and sustainable engagement with local, state, regional, national and international constituencies. In order to fulfill this mission, we strive to provide support for faculty research, interdisciplinary collaborative teaching and engaged participation in community organizations so that we may live more responsibly in an ever increasingly diverse and changing global world." https://faa.appstate.edu/about All 20 Graduate students from the Appalachian Studies program in 2016-17 were included because a Master's degree in Appalachian studies is offered with one of two of the following concentrations: (1) sustainability in Appalachia or (2) culture and music. These degrees are granted by the Center for Appalachian Studies: an interdisciplinary program of the College of Arts and Sciences at Appalachian State University, was established in 1978 to coordinate and promote academic programs, public programs, and research activities on the Appalachian Mountain region. Built on the good work of generations of Appalachian scholars, including folklorist Amos Abrams and Cratis Williams, considered the father of Appalachian studies, the Center works to illuminate and sustain the region's rich history, cultures, communities, and ecology.

Sustainable Development Undergraduate Program Sustainability Learning Outcomes: *Students will examine connections between social, environmental, and economic systems and the root causes of contemporary issues and crises. *Students will analyze sustainable development as a response to linked social, environmental, and economic issues and crises. *Students will integrate knowledge from multiple disciplines and perspectives in the analysis of sustainable development. *Students will apply theoretical and ethical frameworks and experiential knowledge to address real-world issues in sustainable development. *Students will demonstrate capacity for global civic responsibility, community engagement, and leadership. Graduate Program in Sustainable Technology Learning Outcomes: *Students will demonstrate their ability to identify and explain societal and environmental concerns associated with adoption and use of technologies.

please also see: https://appcenter.appstate.edu/ https://faa.appstate.edu/about https://appstudies.appstate.edu/